Tricity infrastructure projects delayed by bureaucratic hurdles

Several important infrastructure projects in the tricity are either moving very slowly or are completely stalled. Bureaucratic delays and administrative issues are mainly to blame. These projects aim to reduce traffic, improve parking, and enhance sanitation, education, and healthcare. One of the stalled initiatives is the Tribune flyover project, which was first proposed in 2019. It faced delays due to a court order about cutting trees. The project was revived last year and a revised plan was sent to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently. This flyover is expected to ease traffic at Tribune Chowk, where many vehicles pass daily. Another important project is the PGIMER-PU underpass, also conceived in 2019. Even after four years, it remains delayed because the necessary layout plans are not completed. The underpass aims to help the many pedestrians who cross the busy area daily. The smart parking project, proposed in 2022, has also faced significant delays. It is expected to be discussed again in an upcoming meeting at the end of March. The plan involves updating parking systems across the city with new technologies. The underground power project in Sector 8, started in 2016, is also experiencing delays but is still under construction. This system is expected to protect power supply from storms. Another longstanding initiative is the Educity project, proposed in 2011, which aims to create a cluster of top educational institutions. A recent meeting was held to discuss how to move it forward, but progress remains slow. Newer projects, like the animal carcass incineration plant proposed in 2022 and the compressed biogas plant in Mohali, are also facing challenges, either in getting approvals or bidders. Delays are not limited to these projects. The Zirakpur bypass project, started in 2014, is also stalled due to technical issues, even as it aims to ease traffic congestion. Similarly, the Panchkula Municipal Corporation building and the Mother and Child Centre, both planned in recent years, have yet to see significant progress. Overall, many key infrastructure projects intended to improve life in the tricity are struggling to move forward, impacting the function and growth of the area.